Lee County DOT asks motorists to be aware of temporary, intermittent lane closures during overnight hours on the Matlacha drawbridge in February
The Lee County Department of Transportation asks motorists in the Pine Island-Matlacha area to use caution beginning the evening of Feb. 3 as intermittent, overnight lane closures occur on the Matlacha Drawbridge.
The intermittent, single-lane closures are anticipated from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Feb. 3through Feb. 5 and again Feb. 10-12, if necessary. A flagging operation will ensure that emergency vehicles will be given priority and that traffic can continue to move throughout the nighttime work. The drawbridge will not be closed both directions; one lane will remain open. However, large vehicles (gross weight exceeding 40,000 pounds) will need to be stopped until the bridge can be seated on the abutment caps.
DOT’s contractor will work on the approach spans of the bridge to replace bearing pads. Crews will be working from barges to jack the bridge to replace the bearing pads. Flaggers will intermittently divert vehicles around the work area to avoid loads over the jacked spans while the work occurs. Large vehicles (gross weight exceeding 40,000 pounds) will be stopped until the bridge decks are lowered from the jacks and placed back on the caps.The contractor’s work dates are subject to change if inclement weather occurs. Please monitor Lee County DOT’s Roadwatch Update at www.leegov.com/dot/roadwatchupdate.
The county thanks the Pine Island community for its patience as these necessary repairs occur so the hurricane-damaged drawbridge can resume operation for boaters. The bridge is safe for motorists. Please exercise caution, follow the direction of flaggers and plan accordingly if you travel at nighttime on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
The overall project includes repairing and replacing several electrical, mechanical and structural components of the bridge, including work to repair the bridge tender structure. The Federal Highway Administration and the State of Florida are funding the construction of the improvements; the county is funding the inspection and engineering work. Learn more here.
This drawbridge project is independent of the Florida Department of Transportation project to restore the Little Pine Island Bridge and portions of Pine Island Causeway. Additional information on that project is available here: www.swflroads.com/project/451937-2.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters and follow on social media: www.leegov.com/socialmedia.